Colabella selected third team All-Ohio

November 29, 2012

COLUMBUS - The 2012 Associated Press Division VI All-Ohio football team was released Wednesday and Steubenville Catholic Central quarterback Brenton Colabella was honored with a third-team selection.

"He is very deserving of that honor," said Central head coach Steve Daley. "With the numbers he put up this season he should have been recognized on the state level. I'm glad to see all his hard work pay off."

Colabella - a third-year starter - threw for 2,484 yard and 28 touchdowns during his junior campaign. He currently holds Crusader records for passing yards in a game (369), passing yards in a season (2,484), career passing yards (5,513), touchdown passes in a season (28) and career touchdown passes (53).

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THIRD TEAM — Steubenville Catholic Central quarterback Brenton Colabella looks for an open receiver during a game this season. Colabella was named third team Division VI All-Ohio by the Associated Press Wednesday.-- Fred Younce

"First and foremost there was some physical maturity," said Daley of Colabella's growth as signal caller. "Then, with that, the mental aspect of the game matured. Being able to recognize coverages and defenses. He makes a lot of calls and checks for us on offense. That's huge to have.

"Last year I would have to make those for him from the sideline. This year he showed the maturity to make them himself. I'd call a play from the sideline and he'd recognize where we needed the ball to go based on the defense. He ran the show out there."

Three local athletes - Central's Zach Herrington and Ryan Fletcher and Toronto's Joey Chadwick - were named special mention in Division VI.

Herrington ended his career as the Crusaders all-time receptions leader with 103, surpassing the previous record by 23 catches. His senior year saw him pull in 52 catches for 832 yards, both school records, and 11 touchdowns. He also holds the single-game school record with 13 grabs.

"Zach was a returning starter who had a great year as junior, and he added to that this year," said Daley.

"He set records for receiving for a season and career. He was our go-to guy in the passing game. He made a lot of catches in double coverage late in the year."

Fletcher showed himself to be a playmaker on both sides of the ball for the Crusaders. The defensive back had more than 50 tackles while intercepting four passes and returning one for a score. He had 31 grabs for 437 yards and four scores at receiver.

"He was a surprise for us, especially on defense," said Daley. "He was our free safety and he made our coverage checks. He was a steady player and very reliable. He has a good head on his shoulders making those calls back there."

Chadwick was a blanket in the secondary for the Red Knights, intercepting six passes and returning two for scores on the year. He also had 71 tackles. He averaged more than 30 yards per punt, connected on 22 of 23 extra point attempts as well as caught 16 passes for 189 yards and score.

"He's been a great kid and leader," said Toronto head coach Eric Meek. "He helped us in all areas. He has really turned into a good pass cover man. I believe he had 13 interceptions over the last two years.

"Offensively he played receiver. He was definitely our leading receiver over my three years here.

"He's played quarterback at times for us and punted and kicked extra points for us. We're going to miss him. He's been a tremendous asset to our program."